Boro stars have taken a firm stance against racism and said they would be happy for any racist fans to be thrown out of the Riverside.

Middlesbrough players Abel Xavier, James Morrison and Andrew Taylor hosted a group of school pupils at the Riverside Stadium to look at the problem in football.

Campaign group Show Racism The Red Card showed kids a DVD at the Riverside and then youngsters had a chance to put their questions to the Boro stars.

More than 100 young people were invited to the event and posters of the Boro men will also be sent out to spread the message about racism.

Morrison said: "If anyone heard racism in the crowd here I think they should go to the steward and report it.

"I think Middlesbrough would be strong enough to throw them out."

The club confirmed they would strip any racist fan of their season ticket.

Xavier said: "The most important thing is to report racism to parents, friends and teachers because it is everywhere. It is in the school, in football, in jobs.

"I have been in many countries and it's always the same issue."

Taylor said: "I think Boro does a fantastic job at dealing with racism. Our team has many nationalities and colours from around the world and we all mix together. Racism shouldn't be in life and it shouldn't be in football."